Leader of the France team in the road race for the world championships this Sunday, Julian Alaphilippe seems to be approaching this event in better shape than in recent years.
Both in 2018 (8th on arrival) in Austria and last year in England (28th), Julian Alaphilippe had approached the Worlds with the sign. A man’s status to beat, difficult to assume in such a demanding race.
The Italian circuit matches its qualities
This year again, at Imola in Italy, the stage winner in Nice on the last Tour will endorse the status of leader of the France team. “But not a single leader,” warned coach Thomas Voeckler, as if to relieve him of a form of pressure.
However, if the competition will be fierce with the presence of the Slovenian duo Tadej Pogacar – Primoz Roglic or the Belgian ogre Wout Van Aert, the Italian course seems particularly suitable for the Montluçonnais living in Andorra.
Tour de France: an overall positive assessment for the Auvergnats
Normally, the race was to take place on a very mountainous circuit in Switzerland. But the Swiss authorities gave up the organization and it is in Imola that the most prestigious of the one-day races landed.Julian Alaphilippe finished the Tour de France less physically blunt than last year and especially fresher mentally.
“The total difference in height is the same as in Switzerland, analyzes Franck Alaphilippe, cousin and trainer of Julian. However, the first feedback we have reported on a circuit that is more suitable for punchers than for pure climbers. If that’s true, that would be great for Julian. “
Mentally fresher than last year
Another element to take into account: the shape of the runner. In recent years, the Auvergnat had gone in search of the exhausted rainbow jersey after grueling Tours de France.
“The Tour was also difficult this year, he is inevitably tired, notes his coach. But it’s only physical fatigue. Mentally, he’s fresh as his defense of the yellow jersey for two weeks had pumped him crazy energy in 2019. “
This is good, because it will take some freshness to tame the 258.2 km Italian on Sunday.
Antonin Bisson
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